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HEALTH WISE Ancient Soothing talk—ask how they found me, say 'I like your shoes,' ask them about themselves—anything to get their minds off their fears." There's one caveat to the talk approach, though— Freeman reminds that for sufferers of social anxiety, having to make conversation is fear-inducing. So, again, the intuitive powers of you and your staff must be in full force. Music and candles can serve as a cue that silence is okay, and some clients may even find reassurance in being told that they don't have to talk. Other pointers include showing an OCD client your one-time use tools, or letting her watch you disinfect the treatment space. Also be aware that new clients may not be familiar with spa etiquette—simply informing them that they can end the treatment at any time can be hugely helpful. 106 DAYSPA | FEBRUARY 2013 Olsen is used to detecting fear in even the coolest customer. "They'll often keep having to go to the bathroom, or they'll be profusely sweating or clammy. Their skin might become blotchy," Olsen says. Some are reassured simply by hearing that other clients have the same apprehensions. In trying new treatments with an anxious client (see Ancient Soothing, above, and Pointed Treatment, page 104), it may be necessary to stay in the room with them, or remain within earshot. "The reality is that someone with an anxiety disorder may not even seek out a spa unless someone brings them or gives them a gift certificate," says Freeman. "But when they are fully exposed to what you do and see how sensitive you are, they'll feel safe." Andrea Renskoff is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. © MATTHEW WAKEM/GETTY IMAGES In the thousands-year old ayurvedic system of medicine, three guiding mind/body principles govern health and wellbeing; the vata, pitta and kapha doshas, or forces of energy. Vata, which translates to movement, governs thinking and the nervous system, and is thought to be the dosha most out of balance in people suffering from anxiety or panic disorders. "Vata imbalance causes an overly sensitive sympathetic nervous system," says Celestina Dittmer, marketing director at The Raj (theraj.com) in Fairfield, Iowa. The Raj offers vata-balancing treatments such as abhyanga, a warm, herbalized, two-technician massage, and pizzichili, an oil bath with gentle massage. Other treatments used to balance vata include shirodhara, in which warm oils are poured slowly over the forehead, and a warm bolus massage called pinda swedhana. "These programs are deeply relaxing to the physiology and balancing to vata," Dittmer says. "Because the qualities of vata are 'light', 'moving', 'dry', 'rough' and 'cold', an excess of these forces will disturb vata," she continues. "These qualities may be absorbed from our diet—common culprits are cold, dry, rough foods—or stem from lack of sleep, or may intensify during fall and winter." Because ayurveda is a holistic medical system, special diet and herbal preparations should be part of the ayurvedic approach to treating anxiety. "Gentle yoga and pranayama, a yogic breathing technique, and transcendental meditation, will help balance the physiology of anxious clients," Dittmer says.